Savannah Convention Center. Courtesy TVS.

Atlanta-based architecture, interior design, and planning firm TVS has completed a major expansion of the Savannah Convention Center (SCC), a $276 million project that doubles the size of the celebrated riverfront venue on Hutchinson Island. Originally opened in 2000 as the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, the facility has been reimagined to meet the growing demand of the convention market while enhancing the architectural character of Savannah’s riverfront. 

The expansion delivers a state-of-the-art facility with 100,000 square feet of new exhibit space, a 40,000-square-foot ballroom, 23,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and a new 900-space parking garage. TVS’s design introduces new entry plazas and façades that define the convention center’s arrival sequence from the north and east, while registration lobbies anchor the expanded exhibition halls. A new sixth-floor ballroom with prefunction spaces opening to the north and east connects directly to a roof terrace offering views of the Savannah skyline.

“Our goals for the design were to create a seamless and sympathetic extension of the existing facility and to provide an appropriately grand and gracious ‘Savannah experience’ from arrival to event,” says Jay Thomson, Principal at TVS. “The expansion doubles the Savannah Convention Center’s capacity while opening views to the riverfront and the historic district beyond. The rooftop terrace, in particular, offers a memorable perspective, making it a gathering place where visitors and locals can come together to experience the city in a new way."

The expansion was guided by a deep commitment to sustainable design, focusing on minimizing environmental impact and maximizing resource efficiency. Stormwater management was approached through preserving and enhancing adjacent wetlands. A reflective roof membrane and specialized insulation reduce energy loads and the heat island effect. High-performance glazing and photo-sensors strategically integrated into the Center optimize daylight while minimizing solar heat gain. Inside, high-volume, low-speed fans de-stratify air in the winter and provide a cooling effect in the summer. The landscape design further supports these efforts by using native plants, which drastically reduce potable water consumption. In addition, thoughtful space planning extends flexible function areas to multiple outdoor terraces, plazas, and decks, all of which are well-shaded for comfort.

“Sustainability was at the core of every design decision,” says Paul McKeever, Principal at TVS. “The expansion not only doubles the center’s capacity but also demonstrates how large-scale civic projects can coexist responsibly with their natural environment.”

The project also enhances circulation and functionality throughout the venue. New meeting rooms span the first and second levels along the extended east concourse, while a five-level parking garage positioned above the exhibit loading area integrates service and guest needs without compromising the public experience. This design establishes a more intuitive and efficient convention environment that supports both large-scale gatherings and intimate events.

Designed in collaboration with Hansen Architects and commissioned by the Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority, the expansion reintroduces the Savannah Convention Center as a landmark destination on the riverfront. With its expanded capacity, sustainable and thoughtfully designed public spaces, and improved guest experience, the project reflects TVS’s expertise in designing some of the world’s most significant convention centers and leisure venues while contributing to Savannah’s evolving architectural landscape.